"Never Give Up (On Each Other)"
Author: carmen_085
Disclaimer: I do not own any Walking Dead Characters. I do own all original characters.
Summary: In the months before the beginning of the apocalypse, Daryl finds himself homeless, alone, and with no direction. An adult Beth is struggling to balance her job, sick parents, and the farm. Feeling like the world is suffocating her, will taking a chance on a stranger change everything ? Can these two find what they need in each other before life as they know it ends and they must do anything to survive. AU but eventual ZA with full cast.
Chapter Twenty Five
When she came to the first thing she was aware of were hissing sounds, moaning and shuffling. Blinking her eyes she was met with darkness. The back of her head was aching, and only when she attempted to reach her arm up to check the damage did she realize that she was bound. Arms and legs into a sitting position. Beth's first reaction was to scream, not just because she was tied up near walkers but because some had taken her. Letting out a tiny whimper she batted the urge away. Daryl would be so disappointed in her, he'd taught her better and if she wanted to get out of whatever this was she would need to use her instincts. Just like he'd taught her both before and after the turn. Taking a deep breath she cleared her mind.
Daryl. Where was he ? Maybe he had been taken too. Searching her memories the last thing she could recall was walking across the yard to Daryl's bedroom. It had been dark and she went to secure the barn. Normally she would not have chanced it but with so many people around she felt safe. Squinting her eyes she searched her immediate surroundings and came up nothing. Through the meager lighting of the moon she could barely make out that she was in a tack shed. A small work space attached to a barn, feed and other supplies were kept there and out of the animal's reach. The Greene's barn didn't have a tack shed and besides, there was no way Rick and his people would take her hostage after saving Carl's life. No she wasn't at home but she also wasn't far. Something about the whole situation seemed oddly familiar.
Beth took a deep breath. What would Daryl do right now ? He would find a way to get the fuck out here that's what he would do. A part of Beth, the old broken little girl who slit her wrists over a boy, wanted to just sit here and cry. Over the years that person had faded into the past but was never totally gone. Now niggling at the back of her brain with self doubt, that weak little girl told her she was done for. Just give up and wait for whoever did this to come back and do what they want. It's what's going to happen, what was always meant to happen.
But then another part of her, a much larger part, told her that was bullshit. That she'd done harder things and whoever had been stupid enough to kidnap her had picked the wrong girl. Even in the dark she blushed a bit at that notion. An impossible task starts with a single step, she learned that from Daryl. When she parked her car that morning and ran into the woods she never would have dreamed of the places they would go together. Getting him to trust her seemed impossible but step by step it happened. Everything happened.
If Beth wanted to get out of here it was up to her. Sliding up against the wooden wall she brought herself to standing with a bit of balance and adjustment. If only there was more light she could have a proper look around. For now she would just have to feel. Back still against the wall she ran her fingers across the planks looking for anything sharp that she could use to cut the duct tape. Beth gasped when she found a nail, old and rusty, she could only hope that it held out long enough for her to sever the bindings. Positioning herself in front of it she began to scrape up and down, catching the tape half the time and her hand the rest. It hurt and it took all her willpower to stay silent scraping back and forth. Reminding herself that this was for her life she moved faster imagining never seeing Daryl again.
"Come on…Come on…" She whispered to herself not having any clue how much time she had left.
Daryl was in a deep sleep when the knock came at the door. A loud pounding that caused him to jerk awake and grope the bed. It was empty and not for the first time since the apocalypse started Daryl wished that he had a working clock. During the day he used the sun to keep a general idea of time but once it became dark it was just that….dark. With summer starting to slip away into early fall there was less and less light as the days went by.
A knock at the door in the middle of the night was never a good thing, but this time Daryl was filled with certain trepidation. Beth was supposed to be here next to him. Something wasn't right. Pulling on a pair of pants he swung the door open forgetting for the moment to cover the rest of himself. It was dark and he had no intention of turning around. Besides….even if someone did see him what did it matter anymore ? The most amazing woman in the world had seen his back and accepted him just the way that he was. Everyone else could go to hell as far as Daryl was concerned.
"What…" He stopped cold when he saw the look on Shane's face. It had been a few days since he came back barely alive with Shane and Rick dragging him into the house. The doll had been taken straight to Carol who wept with joy. Immediately Rick organized a search party for morning and every able bodied member of the group went to search leaving just Hershel and himself at the farm. Daryl wanted to go, of course he did, he knew if anyone could find the kid it was him. But Beth wouldn't hear of it and said she was going in his place. Keep an eye on her daddy, the house, and the boy if he didn't mind. Daryl didn't mind but that wasn't the point. It was dangerous out there and no way should Beth be taking his place. He was fine, just bruises and stitches. She was fiery though, snapping at him for the first time since he'd met her. Telling him it wasn't up for discussion; he'd been unconscious for hours. He needed rest and besides there was plenty to keep an eye on around here. She could and she would take care of herself. So they went out and he sat on the porch and chewed his thumbnail until they came back. It went on like that for a few more days before despondency took a hold of Carol and she isolated herself in the RV weeping bitterly into the night. Daryl knew it, they all knew it, the girl was gone. Still they kept looking.
Shane bit his lip looking down for a second and then shaking his head deciding it was better to just be out with it. "Beth's gone…"
The two words landed in his stomach like a sledge hammer. He blinked in the lantern light to determine it was actually true before shaking his head; it couldn't be."What you mean gone ?" The shirt was already being pulled over his head by the time the words left his mouth. Had it been the mouthy blonde or the old man he might have rolled his eyes and taken a more logical approach but Shane was no bullshitter. In the time that the group had been on the farm it was clear that Rick was the leader. He made the decisions, did the talking, and decided what was going to happen next. Pragmatic and logical he tried to appease all sides- the peacemaker. Shane on the other hand was more realistic, in your face, and harsh. His approach pissed most of his group off while Daryl found it entirely appropriate.
It had come to Daryl's reluctant attention that several members of the group were more interested in playing house than surviving. They did the laundry, washed the dishes, and told stories around the campfire at night. Trappings of the old world that could get a person killed quick these days. While Rick was busy finding can goods at the Dollar General in town; Shane had gone out onto the woods and set snares, was in the garden with Beth, and had even starting whittling a bow. It was an honest start and quite frankly much more than anyone else in his group was doing. Daryl didn't care for most people but he'd taken a bit of a liking to Shane as had Beth. He was ready to contribute and not just bumble around.
Shane shook his head as if in disbelief himself. "She came out to check on the animals and Lori said she heard her lock the door." His voice was wavering a bit and if Daryl wasn't in the middle of freaking out himself he would have been even more unnerved. "I was walkin' the perimeter man…" That was another reason Daryl liked Shane he saw the value in keeping this place as safe as possible. While Andrea was playing Annie Oakley from the hayloft, Shane was out walking- checking- watching. He and Daryl split watch shifts for that, with Rick chipping in here and there. "I went into the house to check on Carl…" Oh yeah there was that too. If Shane's temper didn't get the best of him it was going to be this preoccupation he had with Lori and the boy. As far as Daryl could see it was his biggest weakness. He just couldn't let it go. "And she's gone man. I checked everywhere- the house, the barn, the fields…" He rubbed a hand through his hair. "The dog is going nuts. Somethin' ain't right."
Daryl had his crossbow in hand and was already shutting the door. Shane's concern was worrisome enough, the fact that Maize was acting strange was enough to make Daryl want to scream. He'd never had a dog before and he suddenly wondered why. Maize, albeit a bit rambunctious at times, was a perfect companion. She kept an eye on everyone but she watched Beth like a hawk. That was her lady and there were very few times when Beth went somewhere that Maize didn't know exactly where she was. If Beth worked in the garden the dog was laying in the grass near her, if she was in the kitchen Maize was between her legs on the tile floor, and when Beth left the dog paced the house until she returned.
His heart in his throat, Daryl took a steadying breath as he angled the flash light down. It was for emergencies only- absolutely- they didn't have the extra batteries. He couldn't waste time with guess work though, he needed to know where she was and what direction she headed in. "You want me to get Rick and T ?" Daryl appreciated the help but he was doing this himself. Whether it was one person or a group; he'd do whatever he needed to bring her back. Shane was fine but Rick and the others would just muck up the works. When he found whoever had her there would be no talking.
"Nah. Stay here, keep an eye out." Shane deflated as Daryl was quick to add, "Case whoever it is comes back. Tries to go after the others." He nodded slowly agreeing.
Daryl pointed the flashlight down at the ground. Lori wasn't exactly a survivalist but she was more practical than Andrea and less dramatic than Carol. With this bunch Daryl reasoned that was about as good as anyone could expect. Her observation that Beth had been to the barn led Daryl in that direction without hesitation. Beth wasn't stupid enough to go wandering off into the woods at night. She probably went to see to one of the animals and was coming back to the house when whatever happened…happened.
Studying the dirt his heart was pounding and his hands were shaking. He refused to stop for even a second and entertain the possibility that something could have happened to her. Not now…not after everything they'd been through. He loved her for God's sake- the only woman who'd ever even remotely stirred anything like that inside of him. Taking a deep breath he focused, careful not to get ahead of himself.
Beth's boot prints went to the barn clear as day, Daryl would know those tracks anywhere. Her prints coming away were clear until a point where everything was smeared around. Daryl pointed as Shane squinted his eyes to get a closer look, "Somethin' happened right here." Daryl knelt down studying the pattern. In the middle of it all, there was a heel mark- u shaped and dug into the mud hard. A larger shoe, something that belonged to a man. Daryl swallowed the vomit back imagining all the shit that someone could be doing to her right now. Beth's foot prints disappeared from there and a male boot print continued on. Following the trail, Daryl's eyes stayed glued to the ground until the male prints disappeared also and were replaced with something else. Hoof tracks going toward the woods line.
Jimmy
Daryl exhaled staring into the dark undergrowth. "What is it ?" Daryl ignored Shane as he just stared. "You sure you don't want me to come with you, man ?"
Slowly he shook his head. "No. Stay here." He said the words flatly, an eerie calm coming over him. It wasn't some unknown quantity they were dealing with but a familiar foe. Walking toward the woods Daryl flicked the light off. He didn't need to see where he was going, he knew the way well. And when he got there he was going to kill that son of bitch and nobody was going to stop him.
Beth's legs were burning as she continued to scrape the duct tape on her wrists up and down. She could feel the binding begin to loosen and was buoyed by her improbable success. It had occurred to her, briefly, of what she would need to do once she got loose. If the door was locked that would be another issue and if it wasn't who knows what could be waiting for her on the other side. She took a deep breath before she could get too far ahead of herself and remembered that just like Daryl, she would never give up. It just wasn't an option. Maybe at one time she wouldn't have cared, but she had everything to stay alive for and no matter what she was going to do just that.
When the duct tape released she lost her balance and fell forward. A tiny gasp of pain was replaced with unbridled relief. She was free. Quickly removing the tape from her legs and stood up and stretched her aching body, shaking her arms out and rubbing her legs. For the first time since Beth had come to she took a good look around. A crescent moon hung high in the sky, casting just the barest amount of light as she squinted, her eyes fully adjusted to the darkness.
It was an indeed a tack room, bags of feed sat on the floor along with various tools hanging from the ceiling. Without thinking she grabbed a Turnip Topper, a long blunted blade that resembled a machete it was an antique farm tool common in the south. Her daddy had one just like it. Beth felt a lump well up in the back of her throat. Her daddy, the farm, home….Daryl. Taking a deep breath she swallowed it back. The moonlight had cast a thin frame of light around the door as her fingers groped trying to find a knob or latch. Slipping she landed on the worn wood of the door frame as a gasp escaped her lips; her pointer finger tracingsomething that she hadn't thought about in years.
B.G + J.C
With a crooked heart around it. That early autumn afternoon when they were supposed to be helping Mr. Campbell harvest pumpkins but they'd snuck off to tack room instead. Made out for a while and only stopped when Jimmy slid a shaking hand between her legs. Beth had gasped and stiffened not ready for it. He had apologized profusely afraid that he'd hurt her in some way as his face blushed a deep shade of red. After they'd both recovered and could look at each other once again, Jimmy had taken his knife out and carved their initials in the wood. He said there was no hurry because they had forever. Tears came to her eyes and she loved him even more. She was sixteen, stupid, and completely infatuated.
Blinking the memory of that day away, Beth shook her head not understanding. Why would Jimmy take her ? Tie her up and lock her in his tack room ? It didn't make any sense. Tracing those letters back and forth she focused on the present and not the past. Ever since Daryl had shown up Jimmy had been acting strange. Like she belonged to him and Daryl was about to take her. He was jealous and irrational going so far to even have Daryl arrested and taken to jail. She'd not understood it; Jimmy was married and had a wife and children. He had his chance with her and he didn't want it, he wanted something else. Time and again he'd assured her that he was happy- the luckiest guy in the world. She smiled and nodded but inside she felt sick. Not because she wished for him herself, but because she had no happiness of her own. Between the farm, her job, and her mama Beth seriously doubted she would ever find it. She'd never let Jimmy know that and was always her cheerful self when he wanted to talk about Teresa or the kids.
The night Shawn died she leaned on him- maybe a little too much. But she had nothing and no one and was absolutely gutted by her new reality. Jimmy was familiar and comfortable and it was just so damn easy. He even smelled like he used to and that night she fell asleep completely exhausted with his arm around her on the couch. A weak indulgence that she should have known better than to do. From that night forward something had changed between them and she found herself gently batting him away at every turn. It simmered beneath the surface and when Daryl arrived it boiled over in a torrent of unwarranted jealousy.
From there on out, Jimmy had been obsessed with Daryl and getting rid of him. Then the whole mess with the boy; shooting him when she couldn't ever remember Jimmy hunting at all. Volunteering to go with Shane to get the supplies when he obviously had no intention of watching the man's back. Ditching Shane and taking off leaving him alone with a herd of walkers and no vehicle. She'd not seen him since- no one had. After her and Daryl made love, she blushed now just thinking of it, they lay together whispering stories to one another. Stories of their lives before, stories of what their lives could be after. When he suddenly got quiet and his eyes squinted trying to remember something she gently probed. A chill ran down her spine now even thinking of his halting gravelly words.
He hadn't fallen. He was pushed.
From behind down into the ravine he hit his head before getting his bearings and that was it. Blackness, pain- until he came to with a walker on top of him. She shuddered snuggling deeper against him at the idea. How close she'd come to losing him. Daryl being Daryl had reassured her that it wasn't that bad and he made it back in once piece- that was all that mattered. Still she didn't forget. He was pushed. Now she had a pretty good idea by who.
Tightening her grip on the Turnip Topper, Beth put a hand on the door. If nothing had changed, the door to the Campbell tack room was secured on the outside by a simple bolt. Nothing exceptionally strong she knew if she pushed hard enough it would eventually give way. Lining herself up she rested her shoulder against the worn wood. The hissing and snarling, however, made her pause for a second. The herd of walkers closing in around her and Daryl in Atlanta never far from her mind. What if she busted through the door and into a herd ? She'd fight but she couldn't get them all. Anxiety caused her heart to race. Closing her eyes, Beth took a deep breath coming back to a thought that had never set her astray. What would Daryl do ?
He would use his instincts. His sharp hearing. His keen sense of perception. Steadying herself, Beth pressed her ear against the door. Concentrating she heard the sounds of the Georgia night; crickets, bullfrogs, and a light breeze rustling the trees. The air smelled sweet like peaches- it was early September by her estimation - and the height of peach season. Moving to the other side of the tack shed, the one that connected to the barn, she pressed her ear against the wall. Immediately something lunged against the wall, teeth snapping in her ear. Beth jumped back covering her mouth so that the gasp was silent.
Jimmy had a barn full of walkers. What in the actual fuck ? Carefully she leaned toward the wall holding her breath and trying to peer through the cracks. It was hard to see but she was sure there was more than one, all milling around aimlessly, they had to have smelled her because they were beginning to gather pushing on the wall and getting rightfully worked up. She had to get out of there…..now.
Turning Beth lifted the Turnip Topper ready to beat the door down if she had to. A bright light in her face caused her stumble as a familiar voice yelled out.
"Whoah ! Beth…hey it's me. It's Jimmy." She lowered the weapon but didn't put it down. Staring at Jimmy, she squinted her eyes against the bright light. His face spread into a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "We've been looking all over for you…." She paused loosening her grip just a bit. He saw her hesitancy and pushed a little more. "Yeah. Me, Daryl, Shane, Rick. Searchin' the whole woods for you."
"And yet somehow I ended up in your shed tied up…" She wasn't buying his shit. She'd come this far by trusting her instincts, she wouldn't stop now.
Jimmy shook his head letting out a strange laugh- high and nervous. "There's a group camped out on the highway. They ransacked the house…I told the others it had to be them that took you.." If a group on the highway took her why wasn't she on the highway right now?
Raising the tool she showed him that she wasn't going to fall for this. "Where are they?" He'd taken the light off her face and put it on the ground between them. She saw the shadow come over his features as a chill ran down her spine.
"Who ?"
Her eyes darted side to side. She was at a disadvantage still in the tack shed and not able to see what he could. "Daryl…the others." She clenched her teeth, the words coming out low.
He was silent staring back at her, his head cocked slightly to the side. She'd known Jimmy all her life and the man she saw right now was a stranger. Consumed by a darkness she didn't recognize. Jealousy, anger, and guilt had wiped away everything she knew and replaced it with a person capable of anything. She wasn't getting out of here alive if he had anything to say about it. Beth swallowed hard the click in her throat nearly audible. Who would make the first move ? It was a tense stand-off.
Blood rushed in her ears as she snapped dropping the turnip topper and breaking into a dead sprint. He hadn't expected it and as she darted past him he tried to grab her but she slipped away. Buoyed by her success Beth ran as fast as she could, sprinting with superhuman effort toward the forest. Behind her his footfalls came closer pounding the ground. Fear surged through her making her reckless. She didn't see the hole until it was too late; her foot dropping, her knee jamming, and the rest of her pitching forward. Letting out a scream she hit the ground hard, her elbows skinned and bleeding, she had no time to collect herself before he was on top of her. Yanking her from the hole and flipping her over he pinned her down with all his weight.
"Stop ! You're not going back to him !" She struggled trying to push him off of her. Jimmy, seeing that this was no position to make a proclamation of love, stood up hauling Beth with him. He held her roughly by the shoulders, squeezing her so tight her pale skin would likely bruise. "Cant you see Beth ? This is always how it was meant to be ! We can finally be together, just the two of us. I love you, Beth. I've always loved you."
She stopped struggling looking into his eyes, the faintest hint of the old Jimmy behind them. "Jimmy we were kids. It was more than ten years ago. Things change." He loosened his grasp slightly. Maybe she could talk her way out of this. Slyly she looked around for anything she could use as a weapon. The flashlight had fallen to the ground casting a strange ring of light around them both. Nothing, not even a stick, she was careful to contain her disappointment. Redoubling her negotiations she noticed a candle flickering in the house. "Don't do this ok ? Just let me go home and we can talk about it in the morning. Figure something out. Teresa must be worried, the kids are probably scared."
That darkness returned to his face and she knew she then that something had happened to his own family. "Teresa and the kids are fine. I'm helping them." She stilled. What the fuck did that mean?
"Jimmy, I'll go home and we'll both get some sleep. I'll tell the others I'm coming over to take a look at Teresa and the kids. I'll bring my stuff. I can help you take care of them…." It sounded pretty good and as his fingers relaxed she hoped that he'd had a change of heart. For a moment he even looked hopeful. Beth forced her trembling lips into a smile.
Darkness overtook his features once again as his eyes narrowed. He squeezed her arms turning and roughly pushing her toward the barn. "Good girls don't lie, Beth. You know that. He's changed you…and you're going back to him." He spat out the pronoun like it was the vilest of words. "He's trash, Beth ! You belong right here and with ME!" He continued dragging her toward the barn. For her part, Beth fought against him not making it easy. If that was going to be how things went down she wasn't going out without a fight. Daryl would be proud of that and proud of her. It would be something to console his grief and give him a shred of satisfaction. "STOP STRUGGLING!" His frustration boiled over.
Daryl had double timed it through the forest tripping only once, his instincts sharper than ever. Now at the edge of the Campbell farm he forced himself to slow down. He needed to think, be slow and deliberate- Beth's life depended on it. A long time ago Merle told him to always watch a place before going in. Selling meth he was constantly paranoid about set ups and undercover cops, so he watched. Daryl often thought it was overkill and if he was truly that worried about it he could stop dealing all together. But Merle being Merle blew Daryl off and told him this was what they were going to be doing today so that's what they did. It was a valuable lesson that never failed them.
Beth didn't know it but before he'd presented himself to the farm, tail tucked and head down, begging for work and a roof over his head he'd watched. Cloaked in the darkness of the tree line he knelt down and let his surroundings do the talking . The house was beautiful, idyllic, and completely southern with a big wrap around front porch and a wooden swing swaying gently in the breeze. The barn was old and worn down but appeared sturdy enough. He didn't know much about farming but he knew the fields were large and appeared in need of attention. Her story checked out, she wasn't lying; still it seemed to good to be true. He chewed on that notion for the better part of the afternoon wondering if he was a fool for staying or a fool for leaving. Finally sheer desperation won out and he swallowed his pride. It was the best decision he ever made. Beth was literally everything to him.
The Campbell property was dark and he had to squint his eyes to make out the shadow of the barn and then the house. He forced himself to be systematic and logical when he wanted to do something crazy. Taking a deep breath he'd barely started to formulate a plan when he heard the scream. Everything inside him snapped as he jumped the split rail fence and took off across the field.
Beth screamed at the top of her lungs hoping that the sudden outburst would startle him just enough so that she could run. She knew it would attract every walker in a two mile radius but she didn't care. Jimmy bared his teeth letting out an evil laugh as he clapped his hand over her mouth.
"Shut up ! You're upsetting them." The closer they got to the barn the more they began to hiss and wail, hungry for their next meal. "You said you wanted to help Teresa and the kids, well you can help them. You can feed them….and then you'll be here forev…." An arrow went sailing through the air just missing Jimmy's head by an inch. Instantly he grabbed Beth bringing her against his chest and holding a knife to her throat. Spinning them both around he dropped the flashlight illuminating Daryl's face and the crossbow aimed at his head. Beth's heart soared as she laid eyes on him. She'd made it, yes Jimmy was still holding a knife to her throat, but she'd survived long enough for Daryl to find her. And there was no way Daryl wouldn't figure a way out of this. She stayed calm, the cold metal resting against her skin, one wrong move and that would be it.
"Let her go." His voice was low and deadly. Jimmy ducked down behind her using her as a shield. He was a coward; a filthy rotten snake.
"Get off my land, Dixon." Daryl's eye darted from Beth to Jimmy behind her. She was bruised and bleeding but she was alive and he intended to keep it that way. His heart was pounding as he stared down the sights of his bow; he didn't have a clean shot and he wouldn't take the chance. Not tonight, not her; he's kill himself if he ever did anything to hurt her.
"Not leavin' without Beth." Jimmy laughed, his voice unrecognizable. Beth was convinced that he was possessed. She'd never believed in such things before, although her daddy invoked the devil and his devious ways at least three times a week. The dead were walking now though so she reasoned all bets were off.
"She's mine,Dixon. She always was and now she's always gonna be. We can finally be together- just us, no bullshit, no families, no colleges or fancy careers. Just me and her."
It was clear to him that Jimmy had lost his mind. Talking was done, if all he had was knife Daryl reasoned they could fight like men and whatever happened is how it would go. Only thing that mattered was that Beth was safe. He'd give his life to protect her. Dropping the bow he unsheathed his hunting knife.
"Alright then. You and me. Leave her out of it." Jimmy's face was a mixture of something he couldn't read. Surprise, hesitancy, and maybe even a little excitement; he appeared to be gauging his opponent. Beth's eyes went wide. Even Jimmy could get lucky strike in. This was crazy and she couldn't just let it happen.
"Daryl! Stop…I won't let you do this." Tears spilled over her eyes. "Please. I love you." That was it, the one thing that was enough to push Jimmy right over the edge. He didn't think twice before letting Beth go and pushing her roughly onto the ground.
"Alright Dixon let's go." Daryl put his fists up holding the knife overhand just like Merle had shown him. Stab and slice- always protect yourself. Jimmy on the other hand stood there with his hands limply at his sides the ghost of a smirk on his face. He laughed shaking his head. "You really are just a dumb piece of trash…"
It all happened so fast. Beth saw him step forward reaching into the waist band of his jeans. She saw the glint of the gun in the moonlight and she heard herself yell. "Daryl !" It was the only word she could utter before the shot rang out. Covering her face she heard a body fall to the ground. The strangled, pained cry that came out of her mouth next was completely involuntary. Just like the night Shawn died and her daddy lost his leg, she was so sure she would open her eyes to a completely new reality.
When she felt his arms around her she jumped. "Beth it's alright, I'm ok." Her eyes snapped open. Daryl. He was was alive. A cry escaped her lips as she hugged him tightly thanking God above that he was still here right now. In front of them Jimmy lay lifeless on the ground, his head exploded and resembling a crushed tomato.
Footfalls crossed a short distance. Then a man's voice- one she recognized. Shane.
"Damn you guys alright ?" Daryl nodded for both of them; Beth still speechless and wrapped tightly around him. Gently he stroked her hair kissing the top of her head.
"We're alright."
Dawn had just begun to break as the three of them sat next to each other on a log staring at the barn. In the dim grey morning light the moans of the walkers were barely audible. Blood had dried down the back of Beth's arms and on her forehead; she had a headache but nothing more. She was lucky. In the dark Daryl and Shane had drug Jimmy behind the barn and left him there. Not so much for his own dignity but to spare Beth from having to look at him anymore. She was at a loss when it came to the entire situation; where had things gone so wrong ?
"I say we just leave it. Fuck 'em." Shane jammed his finger in the air gesturing at the barn. "Ain't worth the risk."
Beth and Daryl were quiet, each contemplating what was right. Beth spoke first shaking her head. "We have to see if the little girl, Sophia, is in there though. Carol deserves to know." Shane paused running an agitated hand through his hair. She was right, he had to admit she was right. Yes Carol deserved to know but more than that Rick wouldn't stop looking until he found her. The guilt of losing her in the first place clouding his judgement.
"He said his wife and kids are in there?" Daryl looked to Beth as she shrugged not sure of anything.
"Not exactly. I don't think they're alive though." Daryl thought that over for a moment before nodding.
"Let's check the house. See what we find. Sick bastard might have ''em in the basement or locked up somewhere." Shane considered the plan for a moment before nodding slowly.
"Alright but if anything is off we're out." Daryl nodded. Looking at Beth he brushed her arm.
"You want to come or stay out here ?" She was quick to shake her head.
"I want to come. I'm alright." Adding in a low whisper, "I promise." Daryl couldn't patronize her; she'd already fought and survived once tonight. She was her own capable woman, trying to shelter her was silly- stupid even.
"Alright." Unsheathing his knife he handed it to her so that she wouldn't be without a weapon. "Stay close together."
The three of them set off toward the house, Daryl studying the structure intensely. There was no movement, just a candle flickering low downstairs. Daryl led with Beth in the middle and Shane as the rear guard; they moved quietly up the porch stairs. Much to their surprise the front door was open- cracked and creaking in breeze. Motioning to the other two they proceeded through the door. Getting her first look around Beth gasped her eyes going wide. Where smiling family pictures once were, now was scrawlings in sharpie and taped bits of paper. She wanted to look, to try and understand what had happened to Jimmy but she knew the house still needed cleared. They moved room to room silently clearing the first floor before Shane and Daryl split off one moving to clear the upstairs, the other to the basement.
Beth stayed in the living room staring at the walls.
June 5th- Teresa and girls bit- BLOOD
June 10th- Found Old Man Mitchell in the woods- turned tried to bring him back, MURDERED!
June 14 or 15- Arrested !
June 20- HE is back
July ?- they just need to eat so much
August- Losing ground…
Late August- Found a girl. Will try antibiotics, then tranquilizers…
? All is lost
After that it was non sensical ramblings of a fractured mind. Beth's eyes floated over chemical formulas, names of medications, biblical theories, and a diagram of Senoia. Her own name intermittently appeared written in bold and underlined so that it stood out. Much to her relief, however, it was just that. No plans or ideas; just her name amidst a flight of other ideas. There was so much to look at that she barely noticed Shane and Daryl standing beside her. Pointing to the late August entry she watch as Shane's eyes followed. He read it once, twice, three times before shaking his head.
"We have to go back. Tell the others and decide from there." It was strangely logical coming from him. Daryl guessed that he didn't want the burden of this all on himself. He knew the girl was dead, they all did- Rick lost her in the first place let him make the call.
Daryl nodded, "Then we go back. Tell them what we found."
They were similar in mindset, the three of them, and there was no arguing or debating. They simply acknowledged that it was the right decision and moved on. Beth secured the house before they left, probably unnecessary but feeling like the right thing to do all the same.
They trekked back through the woods in silence. An occasional word or two exchanged but nothing more. Exhaustion weighed down each of their psyche and it was all they could do to be aware of their surroundings. When they reached the edge of forest and the farm finally came into view, Beth nearly broke out into a run. For a few moments last night it seemed like she would never make it back.
Leaning against Daryl he wrapped his arm around her as they traipsed back down the path. The closer they got Daryl began to realize that a car was in the drive that he'd never seen before. And then he saw a small group gathered, two people standing in the center, one of which Hershel had his arm around. Nudging Beth he grunted toward the the house.
Through bleary eyes she focused. Her stomach doing a flop as she stopped cold.
"Bethy !" Maggie ran toward her making entirely too much noise.
Pinching her eyes shut she willed this not to be true, a single world escaping her lips. "Shit."
TBC…
The plot keeps thickening !
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